Topical skin care formulations comprising plant extracts

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for treating skin. The method can include topically applying to skin a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, aqueous-alcoholic, or oil-soluble extract from Condurango, wherein the Condurango extract reduces oxidation in the skin, reduces tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) activity in the skin, or reduces matrix metalloprotease (MMP) 3 activity in the skin.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of topically applying a composition to skin, the method comprising topically applying to skin a composition comprising an aqueous, alcoholic, aqueous-alcoholic, or oil-soluble extract from  Condurango.    
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is from the whole plant of  Condurango.    
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to a fine line or wrinkle. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to erythemic skin. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to dry, flaky, or itchy skin. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to inflamed skin. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to loose skin. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is an emulsion. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a cream or a lotion. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a solution. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is anhydrous. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 0.01% to 20%, by weight, of the  Condurango  extract. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises:
 (a) water; 
 (b) a chelating agent; 
 (c) a moisturizing agent; 
 (d) a preservative; and 
 (e) a thickening agent. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises water, cetyl palmitate, wax, green tea extract, jojoba oil, and methylparaben. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises water, butylene glycol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, glyceryl myristate, potassium cetyl phosphate, dimethicone, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, stearyl heptanoate, glycerin, allantoin, polysorbate 20, disodium EDTA, ethylparaben, lecithin, methylparaben, sodium PCA, potassium sorbate, tristearin, tocopherol, benzyl salicylate, and benzyl benzoate. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is an aqueous portion collected from an alcoholic extract. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is an aqueous extract. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is an oil-soluble extract. 
     
     
       20. A method for treating skin, the method comprising topically applying to skin a composition comprising an effective amount of an oil soluble extract from  Condurango , wherein the  Condurango  extract reduces inflammation in skin, and wherein the extract comprises a cinnamate or cinnamate ester.